Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2007-08: Paul Karpowich played in the Ontario Jr. A Hockey League known as the OHA. As a goalie for the Wellington Dukes, he collected a record of 15-3-2, with three shutouts and a GAA of 2.15. For the playoffs later that year, he went 9-4 with a GAA of 2.72 in 13 games. However, his save percentage for the regular season (0.922) actually went up slightly during the playoffs (0.923).

2008-09: Karpowich played 27 games as a freshman for Clarkson University, finishing with a 7-14-4 record, 2.85 goals against average, and .907 save percentage.

2009-10: In his sophomore season, Karpowich earned an 8-19-4 record with a 3.48 goals against average and .898 save percentage in 31 games.

2010-11: Karpowich was one of the busier goalies in college hockey, facing over 1100 shots in 35 games for Clarkson University as a junior. He finished the season with a record of 15-18-2 as the Golden Knights finished tied for seventh in the 12-team ECAC Hockey League. Karpowich had 1 shutout with a 3.05 GAA and .912 save percentage.

2011-12: Karpowich played in 37 of 39 games for Clarkson University in his senior season. He was 16-15-6 with 5 shutouts and had a 2.46 goals against and .921 save percentage. Clarkson struggled to stay above .500 after getting off to a 5-1-1 start; finishing tied for sixth in ECAC Hockey. Karpowich signed a two-year two-way contract with St. Louis in April 2012.

Talent Analysis

Karpowich is a big, strong goaltender that has excellent puck handling skills, good positioning and covers his angle well. The butterfly goalie fills the net, is a real work horse and has good potential upside. It will take him time to adjust to the speed of the game at the pro level. He needs to improve his rebound control and lateral speed to play in the NHL.

Future

In his first pro season, Karpowich should see time as a starter at the ECHL level with the Evansville Icemen and could see time in the AHL as an injury replacement. It's better for his overall development to play plenty of games at the lower level than sit as Jake Allen's backup in Peoria.

Photo: Alex Pietrangelo, the Blues' fourth overall pick in 2008, has developed into the team's top blueliner, leading the team with over 25 minutes of ice time per game this season. (courtesy of Scott Kane/Icon SMI)

While some teams experience a lack of draft picks, or reliable prospects, the St. Louis Blues had an abundance of both in 2008. Headlining the list of 2008 draft picks was Alex Pietrangelo, a soon-to-be superstar in the NHL. Along with Pietrangelo, nine other selections were made by the Blues in 2008.

Photo: Defenseman Mark Cundari, signed as a free agent by the Blues in 2010, ranks fourth overall on the Peoria Rivermen with 20 points this season. (courtesy of Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

With immense depth at the NHL, junior and European levels of hockey, it should come as no surprise that the St. Louis Blues are lacking offensively-dominant players at the AHL and ECHL levels. Jaden Schwartz has been called-up to the big club, while Vladimir Tarasenko has finally come over from Europe. As more talented prospects make their way to the big club, the AHL affiliate Peoria Rivermen has started to struggle as a result.

Photo: The St. Louis Blues addressed the blue line with their first pick in 2012, drafting dynamic defenseman Jordan Schmaltz with the 25th overall pick. (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)

The St. Louis Blues are one of few teams to have assets at every position. While the level of skill and potential role could be quite different between each player, the fact remains that the Blues have one of the best crop of players heading into the 48-game NHL season.